As Europe commemorates eight decades since the defeat of Nazi Germany, celebrations are overshadowed by contemporary conflicts and a shifting world order
The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day unfolded across the continent on May 8, 2025, as nations commemorated the end of World War II in Europe through ceremonies, speeches, and community gatherings. Unlike previous commemorations, this milestone anniversary arrives at a moment of heightened global uncertainty, with ongoing conflicts and changing alliances casting shadows over the celebrations of peace secured eight decades ago.
Key Commemorative Events Across Europe
Leaders and citizens across Europe marked the historic anniversary with varying tones and traditions. In the United Kingdom, communities organized street parties, afternoon teas, and beacon lighting ceremonies, with extended pub hours allowing revelers to toast the "greatest generation" BBC News1.
"These beacons serve as powerful symbols of unity and remembrance, connecting communities across the nation just as they did in 1945," said Dorset MP Edward Morello, who joined a torch procession in Lyme Regis where participants walked from Langmoor Gardens to Sandy Beach BBC News1.
In France, commemorations centered around a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of wartime General Charles de Gaulle in Paris, while in Berlin, Germany's remembrance took on a more reflective tone with speeches confronting the horrors of fascism NPR2.
Particularly significant were events in Germany, where President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed parliamentarians in the Bundestag, describing the apocalyptic state the country found itself in on May 8, 1945. "We must never draw a line under our history," Steinmeier emphasized in his speech Deutsche Welle3.
Global Reactions: Shifting Transatlantic Relations
World leaders offered perspectives that simultaneously honored historical achievement while acknowledging contemporary challenges. American participation in this year's commemorations has been notably influenced by President Trump's administration, with European leaders expressing concerns about changing transatlantic security relationships.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the fight for freedom and democracy is not "just history" but continues today, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew explicit parallels between the sacrifices of millions during World War II and Ukraine's current struggle against Russian aggression Deutsche Welle4.
In a pointed statement addressing current geopolitical realities, German President Steinmeier remarked, "Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine has nothing to do with the fight against Nazi tyranny," and warned that "to leave Ukraine defenseless would be to abandon the lessons of May 8" Deutsche Welle4.
Expert Insights: A Changing World Order
Historians and policy experts view this anniversary as a pivotal moment in Europe's post-war history. British historian Timothy Garton Ash noted that "this year's 80th anniversary feels tinged with fear, threats, abandonment by the U.S., and a realization that the post‐WWII global order is crumbling" NPR2.
Garton Ash identified three unprecedented challenges facing Europe today: Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which represents the largest conflict in Europe since 1945; the rise of non-Western global powers challenging traditional alliances; and President Trump's impact on transatlantic security relationships NPR2.
German historian Katja Hoyer's analysis focuses on how Germany's concept of May 8 as a "day of liberation" raises complex questions about historical responsibility, noting that commemorations in Germany necessarily differ from the more celebratory events elsewhere in Europe NPR2.
Community Connections and Emotional Resonance
Beyond high-level political ceremonies, the anniversary touched communities across Europe. In Dorset, UK, town crier Anthony Harrison read the national tribute alongside mayor Robin Potter and members of the Royal Navy Association, while local firefighters assembled outside Dorchester fire station to mark the two-minute silence at midday BBC News1.
"The sight of torchbearers walking along the beach as dusk settled created an incredibly moving tableau," noted one attendee at the Lyme Regis procession, where locals gathered to pay their respects BBC News1.
In Berlin, an exhibition about World War II at the Brandenburg Gate drew thousands of visitors, providing historical context and personal stories that connected younger generations to the events being commemorated NPR2.
Future Implications: European Security in a New Era
The 80th VE Day anniversary arrives at a moment when Europe faces significant questions about its future security architecture. With concerns about the reliability of traditional security partnerships, European nations are reassessing their strategic positions.
"Europeans feel we can no longer rely on the U.S. security umbrella on which we've relied for most of these 80 years," said Garton Ash, suggesting a "post-Western world" may be emerging NPR2.
Germany's new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul highlighted this shifting landscape in his remarks at Berlin's Bellevue Palace: "The historic responsibility for this betrayal of civilization and the memory of the millions of victims of the Second World War make it our responsibility to resolutely defend peace and freedom in Europe today" NPR2.
A Complicated Legacy
As beacon lights faded across European cities and the Red Arrows completed their flyover above Buckingham Palace, the 80th anniversary of VE Day revealed both the enduring importance of remembering history and the complications of applying its lessons to today's geopolitical landscape.
In the words of German President Steinmeier, quoting philosopher Jürgen Habermas: "We are all children of the 8th of May. Let us protect our freedom! Let us protect our democracy!" Deutsche Welle4.
As Europe reflects on eight decades since the guns fell silent, the question remains: can the continent's hard-won peace and unity withstand the challenges of a rapidly changing world order, or are we witnessing the twilight of the post-war European project?